Catholic Peacebuilding and Mining: Integral Peace, Development, and Ecology

by Caesar A. Montevecchio (Editor), Gerard F. Powers (Editor)

Overview

This book explores the role of Catholic peacebuilding in addressing the global mining industry. Mining is intimately linked to issues of conflict, human rights, sustainable development, governance, and environmental justice. As an institution of significant scope and scale with a large network of actors at all levels and substantial theoretical and ethical resources, the Catholic Church is well positioned to acknowledge the essential role of mining, while challenging unethical and harmful practices, and promoting integral peace, development, and ecology. Drawing together theology, ethics, and praxis, the volume reflects the diversity of Catholic action on mining and the importance of an integrated approach. It includes contributions by an international and interdisciplinary range of scholars and practitioners. They examine Catholic action on mining in El Salvador, Peru, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Philippines. They also address general issues of corporate social responsibility, human rights, development, ecology, and peacebuilding. The book will be of interest to scholars of theology, social ethics, and Catholic studies as well as those specializing in development, ecology, human rights, and peace studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781000529159
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/30/2021
Series:	Routledge Studies in Religion
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	286
Sales rank:	618,529
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Caesar A. Montevecchio is Assistant Director of the Catholic Peacebuilding Network based in the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies of the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, USA.

Gerard F. Powers is Coordinator of the Catholic Peacebuilding Network and Director of Catholic Peacebuilding Studies in the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies of the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, USA.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Caesar A. Montevecchio And Gerard F. Powers

1 Mining And Peace: A Scriptural Reflection

Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson

Section 1 Catholic Engagement On Mining In Conflict Zones

2 Extractive Industries: Ethics, Practice, And Religious Engagement
Katherine Marshall

3 The Catholic Approach To Extractives In Colombia: Pastoral Accompaniment Using An Eco-Theology Of Peace

Sandra Polanía-Reyes And Héctor Fabio Henao
4 The Mining Industry, Conflict, And The Church’s Commitment In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo
Rigobert Minani, SJ
5 Catholic Peacebuilding And Mining In The Philippines
Karl M. Gaspar, CSSR

6 Dynamics Between The State, Mining Companies, And Indigenous Peoples In Peru
José Bayardo Chata Pacoricona
7 The Prolonged Struggle Against Metallic Mining In El Salvador And The Role Of The Catholic Church
Andrés Mckinley

Section 2 Mining And Peace In Catholic Theology And Ethics

8 A Just Mining Framework For The Ethics Of Extraction Of Natural Resources And Integral Peace
Tobias Winright
9 Integral Ecology, Just Peace, And Mining
Anna Floerke Scheid And Daniel P. Scheid
10 Mining, Catholic Social Teaching, And International Human Rights
Douglass Cassel
11 Development As Depth: Towards A Theology Of Integral Human Development
Clemens Sedmak
12 Catholic Development Ethics, Mining, And Peace: Attending To The Market’s Limitations
Albino Barrera, OP

13 Good Governance For Mining And The Promotion Of Peace In Africa
Elias O. Opongo, SJ

14 Mining And The Call For Solidarity: The Networks We Have And The Synodal Network The Church Is Called To Be.
Vincent J. Miller
15 The Mining Industry: The Journey From Impunity To Consent

Raymond Offenheiser
16 Hardrock Mining, Climate Change, And Conflict: Reflections Through The Lens Of Catholic Social Thought
William N. Holden And Caesar A. Montevecchio

Concluding Reflections
Laurie Johnston

Editorial Reviews

"Through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, this remarkable collection reveals with exceptional range, depth and detail how the extractive industries assault waterways, agricultural lands, forests, and indigenous peoples, especially in the Amazon and Congolese river basins. Escalating environmental catastrophes make it plain that "all men of good will" (Pacem in terris) may soon be outmatched by the "selfish national interests" (Laudato Si’) that care more about status quo lifestyles and profits than about human dignity, the common good, or the planetary future. Catholic dioceses, organizations, and initiatives bring incredible energy and resources to mining reform; yet these authors do not stop with feel-good success stories. They challenge CST as a whole when they demonstrate how frequently greed and corruption triumph; argue that gender is not yet seriously on the table; and urge that the Church’s global networks be better leveraged to create political momentum. The results are provocative yet generative, critical yet future-building, realistic yet hopeful that faith communities can be the change-agents the planet needs. A highly enlightening read, not only for environmental defenders, but for all who want to know whether (and how) CST can meet today’s daunting crises." - Lisa Sowle Cahill, J. Donald Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College

"For a long time, the National Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (CENCO) has been aware that the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in the east of the country has been a root cause of the miseries suffered by the Congolese people. It compromises peace and development, while aggravating poverty. CENCO has always sought to contribute to a judicious treatment of this problem. For years she has advocated for regulation of mining operations with Congolese and international authorities, including supporting passage of Section 1502 of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Act. CENCO’s efforts are part of the Catholic Church’s work around the world to put an end to illegal mining, one of the main causes of the exploitation of human beings and environmental degradation. In a very enlightening way, Catholic Peacebuilding and Mining: Integral Peace, Development and Ecology, testifies to and gives an account of this essential struggle for the Church. I salute and thank the editors and contributors for successfully shedding light on various aspects of this important effort in the name of the gospel." - Bishop Nicolas Djomo Lola, Catholic Diocese of Tshumbe (Democratic Republic of the Congo), former president of the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo

"Catholic Peacebuilding and Mining is a valuable contribution for both scholars and practitioners who seek to understand and address the significant human rights, economic, and social impacts of the global mining industry. The story of the last two decades of global campaigns to reduce resource-related conflict and increase transparency and accountability in the mining sector cannot be told without understanding the key role Catholic leaders and lay people have played to defend the rights of local communities and take on government and corporate power. At its best, the transnational and vertically integrated nature of the Catholic Church is well suited to address the global mining industry and this book provides important examples of advocacy success." - Ian Gary, Executive Director of the Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition and former Senior Policy Advisor for Extractive Industries, Catholic Relief Services

Studies in Christian Ethics

From the Publisher